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Melbournians could soon have a network of bicycle taxis if a group of entrepreneurs are successful in raising the funds needed to get their pedi-cab business off pedalling in the right direction. “Starting with four bike cabs, our vision is to see the streets of our beloved city teeming with a whole lot more bikes, and a whole lot less noisy, polluting traffic,” says Melbourne Bike Cabs on its fundraising page.

Plans have been released for a 12km shared pedestrian and cycle path linking the northern beaches of the NSW town of Coffs Harbour, making a great holiday destination even better. “There has been strong community support for a shared path and we’re pleased to be releasing the detailed plans,” Member for Coffs Harbour, Mr Andrew Fraser MP, said. “The path will offer residents and tourists the opportunity to ride bike or walk between communities on the northern beaches."

A 'missing link' in a proposed cycle path connecting Brisbane's CBD with the city's northern suburbs is set to be built following the appointment of a construction company to complete the 500 metre section. “Once the entire bikeway is complete we expect up to 5,000 cyclists per day will make use of this route,” Member for Brisbane Central Robert Cavallucci said.

The 'Nga Haerenga' Great Rides of New Zealand network – 23 routes which cover the length and breadth of the country – has received an $8 million funding boost from a national government eager to build on its early success. The fresh injection of funds will go towards a diverse cycle path network, which was formulated in 2009 and, according to the organisation responsible for its management, has proved a catalyst for new businesses, jobs and wealth throughout the country.

Momentum continued to build for two new rail trails in NSW and Queensland, which when completed will add almost 200km of cycleways to the nation's fledgling network. In Queensland, the state government has provided $2 million to upgrade the Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail, which will run in part through the South Burnett region. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said recently that recycling former rail corridors into recreation areas had been a huge success in growing the tourism pillar of the Queensland economy in regional areas.

Melbourne's CBD would be graced with a new, raised east-west cycle corridor, if a consortium of business professionals gets its way. The proposal, the Melbourne B1 Veloway, would link two of the city's main railway stations – Flinders Street and Southern Cross – via an above ground cycleway that would be attached to the existing rail viaduct.

Bicycles have outsold cars in Australia for the 14th consecutive year even though participation levels have dropped, likely due to the increasingly inactive lifestyles of the general Australian population, a new report has revealed. "The 2013 survey shows a slight overall decrease in cycling participation which is a surprising result given the increasing levels of cycling being measured on many inner-city cycle routes," The Australian Bicycle Council report, National Cycling Strategy Report 2011-2016 - 2013 Implementation Update, said.

Victorian road users are being encouraged to provide feedback on the state's cycling-related road rules as part of a broader review of road safety legislation. The feedback can be given via an online survey launched by VicRoads, and will be used as part of Victoria's Road Safety Action Plan 2013-2016.

Cyclists travelling to one of five Australian airports may find a rental car company's pre-fitted bike carriers a helpful initiative. In what Europcar Australia said was a first for car rental companies in the country, the new bike carriers will be fitted to Mitsubishi Outlanders.

Cycling safety has been brought to the fore again in Victoria with the Greens tabling a bill in Victorian Parliament to introduce minimum overtaking distances for motor vehicles passing bicycles. “This Bill requires drivers travelling at 60km per hour or less to leave a distance of at least one metre when overtaking a bicycle rider, or 1.5 metres when travelling at more than 60km per hour,” Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber said.

Cycle Traveller is the online bicycle touring blog for routes, maps, resources and news about cycling around Australia. Be inspired, connect with other cyclists and plan your adventure! Founded in 2012, the Cycle Traveller community is continually growing. If you have a story to tell, information to share or a question to ask, please contact us. You can share information via our forum, or send us an email. Happy riding!